Gravelyn takes plea in drug death case

March 09, 2011|Christina Rohn (231)439-9398 - crohn@petoskeynews.com

Michal Gravelyn, 29, of Petoskey, (right) one of two men involved in the drug death of 21-year-old Kelsey Manker of Petoskey, has accepted a plea deal from the Emmet County Prosecutor's Office. His counterpart, 22-year-old Jeremy Beito of Alanson, (left) pleaded guilty last year to delivery of heroin. On Jan. 18, he was sentenced to 12-25 years in prison.

One of two men involved in the drug death of 21-year-old Kelsey Manker of Petoskey, has accepted a plea deal from the Emmet County Prosecutor's Office.

Michal Gravelyn, 29, of Petoskey was originally charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance causing death, a life offense, for allegedly providing heroin to Manker prior to her death on Aug. 5 at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital.

Following a preliminary examination last year in 90th District Court, however, Gravelyn's charge was reduced to delivery of heroin less than 50 grams, which is a 20-year felony.

Instead of going forward with a two-day jury trial, March 8-9, Gravelyn pleaded "guilty" to one count of possession of heroin, less than 25 grams, which is a four-year felony.

In exchange for this plea, the prosecutor's office has dismissed his delivery of heroin charge.

Gravelyn will now face sentencing at 9 a.m. on March 21 in 57th Circuit Court.

His counterpart, 22-year-old Jeremy Beito of Alanson, pleaded guilty last year to delivery of heroin. On Jan. 18, he was sentenced to 12-25 years in prison.